Social justice

Biofuelwatch is calling for a national week of action against the agrofuel industry from 26 January to 2 February.

Instead of organising a central protest, Biofuelwatch is encouraging local groups and activists to organise local protests and actions. These actions could include banner protests outside a Tesco or BP petrol station, or an biofuel refinery (the Biofuelwatch website provides a map of such refineries here). Other actions could include leafleting, street theatre in the city centre, press releases and letters to local media, or the screening of films regarding the issue.

Hands off Iraqi Oil has called for a national day of action against the wholesale sell-off of Iraq's oil reserves to international companies. The national day of action will be held on Saturday 23 February 2008 and Hands Off Iraqi Oil, together with the Stop The War Coalition is urging people to organise events all over the country to highlight the issue.

The Still Human, Still Here coalition, (comprised of various NGOs and charities including Amnesty International) is calling on the government to end the use of enforced destitution as tool of government policy against refused asylum seekers.

There are currently thousands of refused asylum seekers in the UK. While their asylum applications are being considered the government is obliged to provide healthcare and education for them. However, once their claims are turned down they are barred access to these services. This results in many people living a marginal, limbo-like existence, with huge numbers being rendered homeless.

Amnesty International's Brighton & Hove group has created an online petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of five Cuban trade unionists.

The men have been arrested for excercising their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and have never used or advocated the use of violence in opposition of the government.

Amnesty International's Brighton & Hove group is urging the Cuban authorities to give the men due access to lawyers, medical care and family members. They are also calling for the family members to be updated on the whereabouts and status of the prisoners.

Prisoners of conscience in Cuba has long since been an important campaign for Amnesty International's Brighton & Hove Group. In 2003, 75 Cubas - doctors, lawyers, economists, pro-democracy activists, and others - were arrested as part of a governmental security crackdown.

The petition can be found online at: www.ipetitions.com/petition/Cubamnesty/